Dianne trying to reduce the “cpw” of her MOB outfit at Emily’s wedding (cost per wear!) A beautiful foursome!and it wouldn’t be a post without some of the grandkids! … Alexander looking very snug!Evie gives us a song! and Megan getting excited about something! and we all liked Alexander’s outfit even if he didn’t!and the lull before the storm for Dianne!!The Martinelli family

Impossible to narrow down the selection of photos from this day! Here Alex reads his book from Suzanne & John…And here Nan-nan enjoys her microwavable booties from the girls…Chloe checks out her fancy new keyboard from Muz and Granddad…Alex gets his first train, courtesy of the Bunts.Evie helps herself to the spicy guacamole, proving she truly is her father’s daughter…Heels!KMeggy Moo!Nan-nan cuddles the cutest little Father Christmas in town…Evie helps Nan-nan unwrap her toaster…The Pink Stinks team celebrates the fact that while we may throw like girls, we certainly don’t compete in sports trivia quizzes like girls…Princess Chloe!Rob leads us all in a Christmas sing-a-long on his uke…The lads get into the singing spirit… even a sober Christian:And, not surprisingly, the girls get even more into it…Happy Christmas everyone!

Evie, Chloe, Emma and Hannah get in the party mood to some Beatles tunes… (much to Christian’s embarrassment… he is cringing off camera).

Becky catching up with a download of some of her recent photos (and no apologies from her that Alexander tends to feature quite strongly!!).  On the way to a wedding in Sheffield they called in on my Mum. My Mum has obviously not lost her touch. Then off to Granary Court for an early Christmas with again no shortage of babyminders! The golfers set off early Sundayand the little ‘uns got stuck into the playdough. A contented little chapHappy families!Then Sunday night the Waylors took over the cooking.Oh and another one of Alex!and a cuddle from cousin Chloeand then back in Oxford the big adventure - first time swimming with Chloe and Megan - maybe the shorts are a little big but hey they are blue not pink!all ready to swim … not sure where Chloe was, but dont the Mums look great!

Off to Derbyshire this year at Granary Court, just outside Ashbourne - 9 cars loaded with food and drink.Lots of adult help with looking after the kiddies! Maybe an old fashioned technique from Nan-nan? Could this be a bit of wedding talk?? The newest Waylor!Eating seemed to be high on most peoples priority list … a bucketful of Muz’s Maccarone cheese went down well!.. and a girl always can find time to have her nails done! Then the ladies took off for a session in the hot tub what every well dressed girl wears for a hot tub session!Meanwhile the men took over kiddy duty … Christian and Megan James with Alexand Joe hangs out with the CaptainOf course the grab-bag game was popular … George and Tim seem interested in the box of old-fashioned sweets .Joe and Lucy well involved! seems George lost out to Bex! just time for some fireworks and the launch of Henry’s hot air balloonsbefore sitting down for “Christmas dinner”At the end of the weekend just half a dozen eggs and 3 jars of cranbery sauce unused, as well as a major contribution to the bottle recycling effort of Derbyshire. So a a toast to absent friends Emma Rob and Evie, but here’s to seeing them over in UK for Christmas proper and THE wedding of the year … GO EMILY & TIM!!

Christmas in October (in November) means golf and the 3rd annual Waylor Trophy played at Manor Golf Course.  Tensions ran high and nerves were raw as the young ‘uns set off first followed by the old ‘uns, with defending Champion John leading the way. Suzanne bravely managing only 8 holes before heading back with a stomach bug .. The stakes are higher as the Waylor trophy now means prizes …. and Dianne easily won nearest the pin (within 7 feet but then 3 putted!!) James Martinelli opened his shoulders and won longest drive but the winner with 36 points - james Wood!! congratulated by his old dad .. last years winner Doctor John

Chloe came over to visit her Grandad and Grandma Muz the other afternoon…only to discover that there’s a new granddaughter in town! There appeared to be mixed feelings on both sides, though we can tell it’s only a matter of time before it’s true love forever. Reading some books on Grandma Muz’s lap turned out to be a battle for who could get all the books. (Hannah would like to point out that the only time she has seen Chloe willing to sit quietly on Muz’s lap for reading hour was when Evie was already there first!) They started off with one each, but since when is that any fun?Evie now seems to have two, but Chloe doesn’t look happy about it. Oh, it almost got ugly… and Evie, no wallflower, definitely held her own!  In case you’re wondering how Chloe joined Evie & Muz, it was bum first!Much better… But deep down, we know they love each other. Look at Chloe showing Evie how her toys work…And she even let Evie play with Dee. Now that’s serious business. Sharing toys is thirsty business..  A time-out with Nan-nan is in order.And then a quiet stroll with Dee in Evie’s buggy. (How pretty is our little Chloe?!)     Meanwhile, Evie spends some quality time with her Auntie Hannah…And her Grandma Muz…After a long hard day of invading Chloe’s dance space, it’s time for a quiet bath with Grandma Muz and Nan-nan. 

Chloe in Christmas outfit .... but not sure she has quite managed this eating lark yet! Dianne and Malcolm, Nan-nan, Becky, James and Hannah went up to London for “Carols by Candlight” in the Albert Hall after a Christmas dinner cooked by Becky.Becky as enthusiastic as ever - and what about those cool glasses!

Caroline just sent over some photos of Boxing Day 2006 at the Martinellis. Here’s Becky and Nan-nan in matching cracker hats:

And here’s Nan-nan showing Carlo exactly how a game of table football is played…